Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Todomatsu supposes there were better (and probably more legal) places to get cash, but Dekapan’s lab was always the top choice for the sextuplets.

Tasks were always readily available, and payoffs were usually immediate— as long as you weren't too worried about your own safety anyway.

He thumbed the envelope of money inside his parka, already trying to think of a hiding place for it, and immediately got pissed off when he remembered why he needed to get cash in the first place. 

“That sorry excuse for an eldest brother better not be home.” he growls. Instead of planning his rightful revenge for his stolen allowance, Todomatsu takes a calming breath and decides instead to use what little mental strength he had left to remember the side-effects Dekapan told him came with testing his new experiment.

He counted each one on his fingers as he recalled them: slight ringing in the ears, excessive thirst, recurring migraines, bouts of dizziness and— What the–? He braces himself on the nearest wall as the world suddenly spins around him.

‘Okay, that was kind of scary actually.’ There was definitely one or two he'd forgotten, but he'll cross that bridge when he gets to it. He needed to get out of this heat and just pass out for a few hours so he had the energy to figure this out.

Thankfully when his vision clears, he sees that the house was just a few more steps away. He could almost cry.

“I’m home…” he announces to hopefully no one, but the owner of the sole pair of shoes at the entrance greets him back, and Todomatsu has to remember he doesn't have the energy to kill his older brother. Yet.

Osomatsu gives him a once over, silence lasting for long enough that always meant he was about to be an ass. “You look like shit” he teases, earning an annoyed glare from the youngest, which he returns with a shit eating grin.

"Yeah well I FEEL like shit. No thanks to you by the way." Todomatsu replies curtly, walking right past the eldest and into the kitchen for some water.

He winces when a series of painful throbs flickered past his temples, he blinks rapidly to get rid of the dancing colors in his vision and sighs in relief when he can see in front of him again. ‘This was going to be a long week’ he thinks, tired already.

Obviously not taking the hint, Osomatsu follows him into the kitchen and jokingly asks, "Where did you go anyway? Another mixer?" he snickered, leaning by the door frame. "What? Did you get slapped or something?"

Todomatsu rolled his eyes, aggravating the migraine further. If only he had the energy to spare for a quick murder, but he really wasn't feeling in the mood for this right now. What with the construction work going on in his head, and, oh lovely the stupid ringing in his ears has started too. 

"It's none of your business Osomatsu-niisan." he answers flatly.

That seemed to get the oldest to change his tune. “Aw c’mon, niichan was just kidding,” he gently grabs his arm when the youngest tries to stalk off. "What's wrong? Really.”

He would've shrugged himself free, and told him to fuck off, but the words die in his his throat when he hears, ‘I’m not that unreliable of an older brother am I?’

Todomatsu snaps his head up to look at him, tilting his head at Osomatsu as if asking if what he heard was real, but the eldest just tilts his back in confusion.

"What did you say?"

"I asked what's wrong?"

"No, after that." He couldn't have misheard it, it was so clear in his mind. 

"Uh that's all I said though, or are you that tired that you're hearing things now?" He laughed.

"Ugh nevermind." Todomatsu spat, yanking his arm out from Osomatsu's hold. 

He wasn't really in the mood for any pranks right now, and he wouldn't put it past the eldest for making him doubt his own sanity for a laugh. They've all done some variation of it before, same apple from a tree or however it went.

But… He hesitates at the foot of the stairs. Something still bothered him about that line he'd heard. It was creeping up his back like an itch he couldn't reach, or an elephant in the room that's been long overdue an address. 

He glances at his oldest brother, still smiling at him even after his attitude earlier. The tiny furrow of worry in his eyebrows just barely betraying his easygoing demeanor, Todomatsu knew he wasn't going to say anything though. 

It wouldn't have been in character for him, and for all Matsuno Osomatsu loved loose change, he hated change.

"I'm gonna take a nap.” he says, tone softer but making it clear he didn't want to be followed. “My head hurts."

Osomatsu nodded, and for once stayed put as he watched the youngest head up the stairs.

Chapter Text

‘Science was really terrifying sometimes.’ Todomatsu thought passively as he read the thoughts of the clerk in front of him. It seemed like their boss was a real piece of work, all of them were on the cusp of quitting. 

‘No one even noticed I got my hair done over the weekend’ he heard her think bitterly. He made sure to mention how nice it looked when she finished checking out his items, feeling a sense of pride when she smiled genuinely as she waved him off.

That was nice, it sort of made him feel like a superhero. Todomatsu thought that was something you'd only be able to experience in movies, but after the ESP Kitty incident he supposed Dekapan would've gotten the gist of the theory around it already. Thankfully they were on mostly good terms with the professor, who knows what else he could do?

The side effects were still annoying though, he squeezed his eyes shut as another wave of painful pricks went from one temple to the other, sighing in relief when it finally passed.

If only science could get rid of them too, but he guessed the whole point of him doing this stupid experiment was to help work out all the kinks for science or whatever. The silver lining was that at least it was only meant to last a week, so thankfully he didn't have to suffer for long.

"I'm home" Todomatsu called out upon entering the house, relishing in being out of the heat already. If the professor hadn't needed him to come in daily for monitoring, he would've stayed a recluse for the duration of the experiment. But, at least he was compensated every visit, so that was a bonus.

He places his pink loafers next to lone red ones. Odd. Usually he'd be out playing pachinko, or betting on horse races around this time, and no one had greeted him back yet, “Hello? Anyone home?” he called a little louder, stepping into the foyer.

There was some shuffling from inside the living room before he was greeted again by his eldest brother's familiar voice. "Oh! H-hey Totty! Welcome home!" 

"Hey niisan, home alone again?" He asked his red-clad sibling who simply nodded.

‘Hmm. He's a little quiet today’ Todomatsu thinks, maybe it's a good time to make use of his new mind reading powers. It looked like he'd just woken him up too, usually he'd feel bad, but it doesn't look like he was able to rest at all still. 

"What, no pachinko or horse races today?" he tried, heading into the kitchen for his fifth water refill of the day. The “excessive thirst” part of the symptoms was probably the most annoying part to handle since he keeps going through his water bottles so fast. Maybe Dekapan would make him an auto filling bottle, it can't be that difficult compared to literal time travel can it? And he's done that twice already.

He settles himself next to his brother and takes a long drink from his tumbler, halving it immediately. He shakes the half empty container disappointedly, too tired to get back up again and is a little surprised when Osomatsu silently offers to refill it with a reach of his hand. 

"I didn't really feel like going today, 'sides I'm out of money hehe~ " the eldest replied from the kitchen, rubbing a finger under his nose even though Todomatsu couldn't see it. "unless of course, my sweet baby brother is willing to donate–” 

"No. Absolutely not. Try someone else. Actually just stop stealing our money altogether!” Todomatsu replied instantly, and Osomatsu mumbled something childish along the lines of 'so mean to oniichan' which the youngest pointedly ignored, but he did at least thank him when he handed the refilled tumbler back.

"What have you been doing at home all day then?"

"Oh y'know the usual, lazed around, fell asleep, woke up, read some manga etc., You know pretty normal day~"

"Oh very productive I see, Choromatsu-niisan might get jealous." Todomatsu teased, earning a small laugh from his brother.

He wished he could've stayed home too, he thought, stretching his arms out over the table like one of Ichimatsu's many cats, "must be nice having the house all to yourself~”

‘Kind of lonely though…’ he heard Osomatsu say sadly, the youngest matsu's head shot up, only to see his brother… fake pouting? "Yeah, everyone was doing their own thing today. Left their niichan bored all by himself, so mean~" 

‘That was… Osomatsu-niisan’s thoughts right?’ he looked at the eldest, still rambling on about something he wasn’t really paying attention to. ‘I mean it had to be, but that's not something he'd usually say–’

"Oi~ Earth to Totty!" The eldest snaps his fingers in front of his face, interrupting his train of thought. "Are you okay? You spaced out for a sec there... Do you need a nap again or something? You've been sleeping a lot the last few days" 

Todomatsu looked pointedly at his brother’s darkening eye bags, "And you look like you haven't slept at all Osomatsu-niisan" 

‘Oof, is it that obvious?’ he heard Osomatsu say in his head, but the red clad brother's grin hadn't budged at all.

‘Okay now I know those were his thoughts’ Todomatsu thought to himself. ‘Since I have this chance–’

He's about to double down on another thing he's noticed about his older brother that's been worrying him, but his vision goes static and the next thing he knows Osomatsu's got him by his shoulders and all he can make out is the red of his hoodie and his voice saying something he couldn't make out over the ringing in his ears.

His thoughts though, he could hear loud and clear.

'shit shitshitshitSHIT, Todomatsu please I can't lose– Don't panic! He's fine! Okay focus, do I need an ambulance? Where's his phone? I'm so useless, Choromatsu's better at this than I am. Think Osomatsu! Wait fuck, is shaking him bad? I should stop, oh thank Akatsuka-sensei he's waking up- I thought he was going to--' Todomatsu rapidly blinked out the dizziness that seemed to get worse with every thought he read from the eldest.

It seemed the more he used these mind reading powers, ugh what a mouthful. This… Ability? Skill? He'll put a label on it later, but overusing it seemed to aggravate ALL the symptoms and then some. He should definitely mention that on his next visit to the professor's lab.

When his vision finally cleared, he could see relief practically rolling off Osomatsu's shoulders as he helped him sit up. "You really scared me there for a minute Totty," he said giving him a shaky smile. "you're white as a sheet right now, here drink some of your water."

He slid his brother's pink tumbler back into his hand, which Todomatsu drank gratefully. "Do you need me to get you some painkillers or something?" 

Todomatsu shook his head in response, "N-no, it's alright. I actually have some medicine in my pocket..." he fumbled for a bit to get it out of his parka, and handed it to Osomatsu who helped him take it.

Dekapan had thankfully given him something for the side effects after his visit today, so he had been planning on having that and taking a much needed nap, but he didn't think it would get this bad. 

Osomatsu placed a hand on his younger brother’s forehead, "Well you don't seem feverish…” he thought for a moment, “Ah. There’s some rice balls in the kitchen from this morning, you should eat something. Get your energy back up."

'He's starting to sound like Choromatsu-niisan' Todomatsu grabs his wrist to stop him. "I really don't feel like eating anything right now though, I kinda just wanna nap..." 

"You can nap after, we're NEETs it's not like we have anywhere to be. Eat something, then you can go nap. Okay? Niichan's orders!"

'For my sake too' he hears him think, and lets him go without further protest.

For a while, the two ate in companionable silence, both of them taking the time to calm down after what had just happened. 

That's when Todomatsu notices it just as he finishes his rice ball (which was essentially forced on him), how Osomatsu's hoodie was hanging just a little loosely off his body. "Did you lose weight niisan?”

Osomatsu looked up from his own rice ball and grinned "What are you trying to achieve with this flattery Totty? There were only two rice balls you know, I barely managed to get Ichimatsu to make six so you won't be getting any more" his grin turns to teasing laughter when Todomatsu answers it with a pout. 

"Shut up! You basically forced me to eat, why would I want more? How did you even get him to– Nevermind you probably just bugged him until he gave in." He rolled his eyes, which aggravated his migraine, making him grunt a little in pain. ‘Ugh, leave it to Osomatsu-niisan to tease you over something like that.’

"Excuse me for being a little worried about you" he huffs. “It's just… you seem a little thinner now that I'm looking a closer is all" 

‘Has he been eating properly even?’ Todomatsu suddenly can't remember if Osomatsu had joined them for breakfast or lunch today or even yesterday actually. 'How long has he been doing this?'

His brother looks down at himself for a moment ‘I guess I haven’t felt like eating much at all lately’ is what Todomatsu hears him say in his head, but what comes out of his mouth instead is "Well I could lose a few pounds anyway, don't worry about it. You should really get some rest though, you're the one who almost passed out on me and now you're worried about niichan? Our little Totty has truly grown up!" he says, wiping a fake tear from his eye. 

‘Fine, I'll let you change the subject this time.’ Todomatsu thinks. “As if you had anything to do with raising me, we’re literally the same age!” he scoffs.

“Hey! Niichan did plenty to raise all of you!”

“Sure sure, whatever you say niisan~”

Osomatsu gasps dramatically, “Such distrust! Our youngest must be going through his rebellious phase…”

Todomatsu's bite back is interrupted with a yawn, and a rub of his eyes. ‘Ah, this must be my limit for today’ he thinks, then glares at Osomatsu when he hears his thoughts go, ‘Look at him, can hardly keep his eyes open. Our youngest is so cute!’

He must've read his expression because the eldest puts placating hands up before the youngest can most likely sock him. “Now now, I think it's time for that nap yeah? Let this very generous niichan tuck our youngest in!” He holds out his hand to hoist his brother up, “Come on let's get you upstairs”

Todomatsu wriggles a little bit to settle into the makeshift bed Osomatsu set up for him on the couch sighing gratefully, feeling himself drift off already. Despite everything they say about him, he could really be a good brother when it mattered.

Still… he nudges the eldest with his foot who sat himself at the edge of the couch. “Don't… steal my wallet while I'm asleep again shittymatsu…” he warns mid yawn.

He grins a little sheepishly, as if he'd been planning it already. “Wouldn't even dream of it baby bro, go to sleep now”

Todomatsu doesn't really trust it but he's too sleepy to care, and Osomatsu's hand gently running his fingers through his hair was really speeding up the process. "Thanks Osomatsu-niisan.." he says softly, one more yawn escaping before he finally closes his eyes. 

“Don’t worry I got you, the eldest has to look after his little brothers after all” and as he starts humming a familiar tune from their childhood, there's one last thing Todomatsu hears before finally falling asleep.

‘Though it’s debatable how often I actually do that huh?’ 

Chapter Text

Todomatsu watched curiously as two of his older brothers seemed to be playing hot potato with their breakfast.

They'd been at it for a while, and as far as the youngest could tell, the others were none the wiser to their whole exchange. If he didn't have this mind reading thing going on maybe he wouldn't have noticed either.

He watches as every chance Karamatsu got, he would subtly put extra pieces of food into Osomatsu's bowl. Who would then, just as subtly, immediately pop it right back where it came from before anyone could notice. The second born would give him a disapproving look, and Osomatsu would shoot back with a glare that challenged him to say anything about it. 

Todomatsu definitely didn't need any mind reading abilities to hear the silent conversation their eyes were having. 

'Stop being so pushy shittymatsu!'

'Then stop being so stubborn Osomatsu’

Clearly, the eldests’ sleeping problem wasn't the only thing going on then. Not that he didn't know that already. But if it's been happening for long enough that Karamatsu felt the need to get involved… Well, that was never a good sign in the Matsuno household.

As for how long it's been happening though? Todomatsu wasn't too sure about that part. Osomatsu had that annoying tendency to keep to himself when something was going on with him, something about how the eldest should be the one worrying about his “baby brothers” and not the other way around.

If only that dumbass actually knew how much he was worrying them by being cagey anyway.

So at least while he still could, he was determined to help somehow.

He focuses his attention on his old partner. The medicine Dekapan gave him acted as a bit of a limiter, since the potion was too strong it caused his brain to short circuit from taking in too much information. So while it reduced the side effects, he needed to make a little bit more of an effort to use his ability, as Todomatsu had decided to call it.

‘He still isn't eating as much as I'd like… But it's better than nothing I suppose.’ he hears Karamatsu think with a sigh, giving up the hot potato breakfast game for now. ‘I let Choromatsu handle his sleeping problem, so hopefully he'll have more progress with him than I had.’

'Oh so even Choromatsu-niisan knows something.' Todomatsu thinks, a little irked. He wondered briefly if the other two knew anything too, though judging from the lack of change in their usual habits it was hard to tell. Plus the fact that those three top idiots always got so exclusive about each other's problems. 

For all they called him a dry monster, he was at least good at reading people. He wouldn't have survived so long in his social circles otherwise, and he got that practice from watching his brothers his whole life. So he means, he gets that they have that "eldest brother's" thing like he does with Ichimatsu and Jyushimatsu, they had naturally split into youngest and oldest threes as they grew older.

But he still can't help but think how stupidly prideful they were about not letting them help when there's a REAL problem happening, just because they were a little younger. They were still the same age in the end, so why all the secrecy? It's like they haven't learned a thing the past twenty something years of their life!

Todomatsu shoves another spoonful of rice into his mouth with a huff, chewing angrily. Well, no use being frustrated now. At least he's able to do something about it this time.

He turns his focus to Choromatsu next, considering he's in on whatever intervention they're doing he's bound to have some insight he could use too.

He watches as the third born steals glances at the eldest amidst chiding Jyushimatsu about bringing his empty plates to the sink before he bounds off to play baseball. His eyebrows knit worriedly for a moment, but not enough for anyone to notice if you weren't already looking at him.

He exchanges a look with Karamatsu who shrugs in response, gesturing with his eyes at how Osomatsu placed his bowl away from him. ‘That shitty eldest. He can't keep living off beer and energy drinks! I thought Karamatsu was handling it! What is he doing?’ he hears him think, shooting one last meaningful look at the second born before standing up. 

‘It’s not my fault he's so stubborn.’ thinks Karamatsu this time. ‘But…’

Just as the second born finishes, the last two sausages are smoothly popped into the eldest's bowl, and before he can put them back, his old partner is up and out of the living room and into the kitchen bringing the serving plate with him. 

‘...He isn't the only one who can play that game.’ 

‘That bastard!’ he hears Osomatsu think as he clicks his tongue. Begrudgingly forcing himself to eat the new addition to his breakfast. ‘Alright, smart ass. Your win. Today, anyway.’

Todomatsu internally whistled, watching Karamatsu’s back as he left. He'd never say it to his face of course, lest he fuel his already huge ego, but that was pretty cool of him actually. He had to hand it to him.

The youngest watches his older brother eat for a moment longer before quickly finishing his own bowl to catch up with his old partner, mumbling a quick "I'll be off too then" before Osomatsu stops him mid-stand, hand gripping the edge of his pants. 

"Todomatsu wait, I just..." he pauses as if trying to find the right words, and Todomatsu can almost pinpoint the moment when the eldest just decides to say what he'd initially thought. Which... actually he did, since he'd literally read his mind.

“Are you okay now?” he asks, for once being straight forward with his concern.

"Yeah I'm fine Osomatsu-niisan" he replies a little impatiently, not really looking at him and more at the door hoping Karamatsu hadn't left the house yet. He'd prefer to have this conversation somewhere more private if possible.

“I mean like, are you though?” he continues, “Be honest. Have you had your meds yet? Maybe it's better to stay home today.”

Todomatsu almost glares at him, but quickly schools his expression. ‘You don't get to badger me about my well-being you fucking hypocrite. I should be asking YOU that! Have you even looked at yourself in the mirror lately?’

He probably hasn't even noticed how bad his eyebags have gotten, how loose his hoodie seemed to hang off his body with every passing day, or especially just how small he looked. Matsuno Osomatsu wasn't supposed to look small, he wasn't supposed to look like a gust of wind could blow him away at any given moment, he wasn't supposed to make his youngest brother worry about him because he was too stubborn to ask for help!

And damn it if Todomatsu wasn't going to provide it whether he liked it or not, and he was determined to do it sooner rather than later.

Which meant he really needed to find Karamatsu.

He needed information first, he'd be doing more harm than good just barrelling into an intervention with his oldest brother without gathering all the facts. He was wasting time here. Ironically being stalled by the person he was trying to help in the first place.

He wouldn't have to do all this anyway if they were all just honest with each other, why did his older brothers have to be so fucking frustrating? 

“Osomatsu-niisan I already said I'm FINE. I don't get why you're suddenly acting like Choromatsu-niisan, it's not like you!" he snaps, then immediately regrets it when he hears the hurt tone in:

'Is it that hard to believe I can be a decent big brother?’

“You are! I didn't mean it like–” Todomatsu tries to amend, before clamping his mouth shut.

‘No. Not now. I haven't even been able to do anything for him yet!’

"N-nevermind." He backtracks weakly. It's suspicious, he knows, but before the eldest can question it he quickly adds, "Sorry, actually you're right. I think I do need to take my meds." He picks up his water bottle and for once, thankfully finds it empty, "Do you mind refilling my water again Osomatsu-niisan? Please?”

Osomatsu studies him for a moment, and there's a tense silence of Todomatsu listening to all the questions he wants to ask in his head, while praying to anyone listening that he doesn't voice them out. 

After a moment's hesitation, he thankfully takes the tumbler and heads to the kitchen without another word, and the youngest sighs in relief. 

‘This is for the best.’ he thought. He wasn't ready yet, he needed a gameplan, and Karamatsu knew how to handle him better than anyone, so he needed to talk to him before anything else. He wanted to ask a lot of things, but at the forefront of his mind was ‘How long had this been happening?’.

Instead, when he takes the tumbler back from his brother's hand, he tells him "Thank you" and hopes it counted for something, at least for now.

“It’s no big deal,” Osomatsu says, ruffling the youngests’ hair, and smiles genuinely for the first time in a while.

'Well, at least I did something right for once' he hears him think. 

Todomatsu tried to give a smile back, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. He really needed to talk to Karamatsu.

Chapter Text

Ever since this experiment started, Todomatsu hasn't gone out of the house much apart from his required daily visits to the lab.

Usually, there would be a mixer or two here, or a gym visit or so there. But even just the thought of being in a crowded space for more than a few minutes, was enough to make him dizzy.

He hopes he doesn't become a hermit by the end of all this. His social life was his one escape from being a NEET afterall.

The silver lining is that since Osomatsu seemed unwilling to leave the house too, the youngest could spend more time with him and find out more about his "problem".

Especially since Karamatsu and Choromatsu didn't seem to know much at all based on what he heard. 

It'd only been this morning. The perfect opportunity to talk to the second born finally showed itself as Osomatsu was, for once, out of the house.

He and Ichimatsu were dragged into helping carry groceries with Matsuyo. Why their mother chose those two specifically, he'll never know. 

It's not like she couldn't have handle it herself either, she has before. But maybe she noticed something this time too, mom's were sensitive like that.

The point was, Todomatsu hadn't meant to eavesdrop really.

He'd been on the way down to talk to Karamatsu when he'd heard him announce himself home, but the third born had already gotten to him.

They probably figured he wouldn't have cared enough to listen in, because they didn't even bother whispering.

Well, Choromatsu wasn't. He was basically half yelling already, so it was harder NOT to hear him.

"What are you doing?! He's getting thinner by the day, you said you'd handle it" 

Eugh. Todomatsu rolled his eyes.

He could basically hear the third born crossing his arms, coupled with the disappointed mom stance he always took when he had a bone to pick with someone. His tone painted the image way too clearly.

"Ah yes, and I suppose the darkening circles under our dear brother's eyes, indicate success with your task then Choromatsu?" 

Oh damn. The youngest actually had to hold back a gasp for that.

Karamatsu was a real savage when his patience ran thin, if only he wasn't such a painful doormat the other half of the time. 

The second born sighs. "My apologies brother, perhaps I shouldn't be so abrasive. As the saying goes, 'Rome wasn't built in a day' afterall. We already expected slow developments considering how he is, so let's work together instead of against each other yes?"

"You're right, sorry Karamatsu-niisan. It's just..." Choromatsu huffs, "It's so frustrating! We want to help but he won't tell us anything! He still so cagey when I try to ask him about his sleeping problem, I'm right next to him! Does he think I don't notice he's so restless at night!?"

He finally takes a breath, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I almost miss when he hits me in his sleep. At least that means he's actually sleeping properly."

"I can sympathize with the feeling burrazah." Karamatsu laments, "He's also been dodging all my attempts at a heart to heart in regards to why he's been so adverse to eating. I've even tried asking him outright, but he always manages to steer the conversation elsewhere."

"I just think we'd have more luck making progress with him if he'd just tell us you know? I thought the three of us were a team..." Another sigh, this time from all three of them.

Todomatsu has to wonder how many of the sighs he's heard lately from the two were specifically about this. 'That eldest brother, seriously.'

"I definitely agree bruzzah, do you suppose the plan you told me about will work?"

"I mean it's better than nothing, loose lips makes for honest words after all. Let's just hope he doesn't drink us under the table with his tolerance before we get anything out of him."

There might've been more to that conversation, but a resounding "I'M HOME!!!" booms from the doorway as Jyushimatsu announces his arrival, slamming the door behind him.

Todomatsu has to scramble back to the bedroom or risk getting questioned about his position on the top of the stairwell. It wouldn't do to get caught evesdropping afterall. Though he felt a little stupid after, honestly.

Why did he have to act like a guilty criminal in his own home anyway? He huffs as he lays himself back on the couch, thoughts swirling until he dozes back off. 

Instead of an alarm, a hand on his forehead is what eventually wakes him up.

He blinks out the drowsiness till he's properly conscious enough, and the first thing he realizes, is that it must've been late afternoon. At least, judging by the gradient of orange and yellow hues from in between their curtains anyway. 

The second thing he hears, rather than sees, is Karamatsu's voice in his head going, 'Hm. Osomatsu told me he hasn't been feeling well but it doesn't seem like a fever... Oh! Oops--' the second born retracts his hand with an apologetic smile when he realizes he'd roused the youngest.

"How are you feeling burrazah? Do you need some water perhaps? I refilled your tumbler for you"

"Y-yeah, thanks Karamatsu-niisan..." he rasps taking the offer, he hadn't realized how parched he actually was. How long was he asleep?

He taps his phone screen on, the digital clock reading 4:49PM. He'd been asleep for about three hours straight then, which was... odd.

Out of everyone, he was probably the lightest sleeper. He'd been a bit of a scaredy cat since he was a child, easily triggered by the many noises in their old house. 

Which is why it was established early on, that he needed to sleep as close to the three oldest Matsuno's as possible. 

So, in a house of eight people, it didn't make sense that not a single person had come up and distupted his sleep (even accidentally) for a whole three hours.

Now that's he's thinking about it. He looks at his now empty tumbler, and suddenly realizes that he hadn't really told anyone about the water thing except the eldest.

So how did Karamatsu know to do it? Actually why was he checking in on him in the first place if they'd let him sleep for so long?

He voices the first question he had to the second born instead, and keeps the other for later. "Wait, how'd you know to refill my tumbler?"

"Osomatsu told me." He confesses after hesitating. 'Perhaps I shouldn't have outed him so quickly' Todomatsu hears him think a bit guiltily, 'but it wouldn't have been good to be dishonest either.'

The second born sighs, 'To think he has the time to worry about our precious little brother's but neglects his own problems. But he wouldn't be Osomatsu if not stubborn I suppose.'

Todomatsu huffs and would've said he agreed with him if it wouldn't have outed his ability. 

"Is that the only reason why you're here?" he asks instead.

"Ah, my apologies, I'd nearly forgotten. Choromatsu suggested we go to Chibita's tonight for dinner..." he pauses, giving the youngest a once over. "But perhaps we should take a rain check? If you aren't feeling well brother, I'd be more than happy to stay home to nurse you back to health!"

Todomatsu recoils immediately at the idea. He knew Karamatsu meant well, really, but as much as he liked being spoiled, all his older brothers were so weirdly overbearing when he gets sick.

And he couldn't miss tonight anyway, not with what he knows. 

"Thanks, but no thanks Karmatsu-niisan." he says, pulling the blanket off himself. "I'll be fine, just let me get changed."

"Well... Alright," Karmatsu concedes, helping him off the couch, clearly still unconvinced, but knowing not to push it when it came to the youngest. "but if you need to return home let me know right away my dear Todomatsu"

"Yeah I know," he says waving him off.

When the second born lingers by the door he adds, "Don't worry too much Karamatsu-niisan, I have some meds on standby if ever."

That seemed to be enough to satisfy him, at least for now. "We'll wait for you downstairs then burrazah!" he calls out as he finally leaves.

Jyushimatsu's on him as soon as he makes it to the foyer, touching their foreheads together and smiling when he doesn't find anything amiss. "Totty! Are you better now? Osomatsu-niisan told us not to go upstairs since you weren't feeling good!"

He turns to look at the eldest, who was busy slinging an arm over the fourth born's shoulder and ruffling his hair.

It didn't seem like Ichimatsu was all that bothered since he didn't immediately push him off like Choromatsu might've (and has).

Todomatsu's staring in their direction long enough that he accidentally makes eye contact with the fourth born who jolts and immediately looks away.

'He does look okay now at least...' the youngest hears in his head, he guessed he must've been worrying in his own way too.

He turns back to his immediate senior, "I'm good now Jyushimatsu-niisan. Just affected by all the heat recently is all."

Jyushimatsu hums, a thoughtful sleeve over his mouth. "Well if you say so Totty!" he beams, giving him a quick hug before joining the rest of them out the door.

'Maybe I'll lend him my baseball cap tomorrow!' is what he hears as the older bounds off to keep pace with the others.

Todomatsu considers finding a matching shirt and tie to go with the hat already.

Choromatsu was next it seemed. Stopping to wait for him tap his shoes in by the door, all while scrutinizing his every move.

'Seriously, that shitty eldest got us worried for nothing. Keeping the bedroom off limits and all.' he hears the third born think, but what he says instead is "If you start feeling sick again make sure tell one of us so we can take you home alright?"

The youngest can't help but wonder what exactly Osomatsu said to make them all act this way. 'So overbearing' he thinks almost fondly.

"I know I know, Karamatsu-niisan already told me. Seriously you're all such worrywarts! I'm an adult, and we're all the same age you know!" he rolls his eyes, but lets the third born check his temperature and nag him on the way anyway.

Their trek to the stand is thankfully uneventful, and soon enough, (much to Chibita's chagrin, knowing they weren't going to be paying a single yen for any of it again) they were all pleasantly buzzed from the alcohol and warm food in their systems.

Todomatsu especially enjoyed the break from the thinking, not much of it was being done when you were drunk afterall. Maybe he didn't have to be so on guard tonight afterall.

"Gimme another!" 

"Me too!"

"Over here three!"

"Not until you all pay your tab damn it!" Chibita yells, clanging his soup ladle loudly on the counter.

Osomatsu waves his half empty beer mug at the shorter man, "Don't be such a stick in the mud Chibita! We're friends aren't we?"

"Stop waving that over my broth you idjit! You'll infect my perfect recipe!" he scolds, topping everyone off anyway as they cheer.

"YOU especially need to slow down on the alcohol." he adds, pointing the ladle at the eldest who clicks his tongue in response, going quiet when the shorter man shoots him a meaningful look.

'Don't make me tell them about your last visit here you bastard.' he threatens in his mind.

And just like that, Todomatsu's suddenly paying attention again.

Ichimatsu meanwhile laughs into his own glass, too drunk to have noticed the subtle exchange between the two, "He's right you know, you're gonna end up offing yourself at this rate"

'I bet you'd all like that anyway, be better off too' the youngest hears his silent reply, watching him with wide eyes as he casually takes another swig of his beer. 

He turns to Todomatsu whe he feels eyes on him and raises an eyebrow, grinning as he comments that it'll cost to stare at him. 

The youngest feels himself sober up immediately. Throwing a bite back he doesn't really think about, but whatever it was, it seemed good enough for the conversation to flow back to normal. 

'He was smiling! How was he smiling after thinking that?' he thinks horrified. 'Osomatsu-niisan doesn't actually think that does he?' 

Todomatsu thinks he might hurl. He replays all the 'anyone would be a better eldest' comments, the casual 'go die!' quips, all the 'useless older brother' insults. Hell, hadn't they even replaced him once?

They were sextuplets. Stuck together from childhood to adulthood. It's not like a little harsh banter was unusual, anyone would go a little crazy being around someone so long.

They've thrown each other under the bus for a few thousand yen. Actually, some of them would for free even! But that was just their dynamic as siblings.

Despite it all, it was a truth universally acknowledged that they still cared about each other. They were shit at showing it at lot of the time, but they had their moments.

Surely even the eldest knew that... Right?